Educational Science

With genetic testing for health, ancestry, paternity and more becoming increasingly popular, many people are left wondering: exactly how accurate are DNA tests? Whether you are taking a DNA test to build your extended DNA family tree with an AncestryDNA testing kit, or want precise information on hereditary health conditions...

DNA paternity tests: how they work and how to do one

A DNA paternity test works a lot like other genetic tests, such as to discover distant relatives, ancestral origins, or even health risks. Now available over the counter, these DNA tests compare samples of a father and child's genetic code to provide an accurate indicator of paternity. DNA paternity testing...

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first drug to treat the most common form of dwarfism, known as achondroplasia. Achondroplasia is caused by mutations in the FGFR3 gene, which encodes instructions to build a protein involved in bone growth and development, according to the Genetic and Rare...

1st partial-heart transplant growing with baby 1 year later

A baby became the world's first partial-heart transplant recipient in 2022, and now, more than a year later, the toddler's transplanted tissues still show excellent function and are growing along with his body, doctors report. This publication is proof that this technology works, this idea works, and can be used...

Never-before-seen cells unveiled in detailed map of developing human heart

Scientists just published the most detailed map of the developing human heart to date. The atlas includes 75 types of heart cells, including cell types in the heart's valves and the muscles that fuel its beats that have never been seen before. It shows how these and other cells organize...

Analysis of ancient teeth questions theory that Native Americans originated from Japan

Native Americans may not have originated in Japan as previous archaeological evidence has suggested, according to a new study of ancient teeth. For years, archaeologists had predicted that the first people to live in North America descended directly from a group called the Jomon, who occupied ancient Japan about 15,000...

Dog DNA tests: How accurate are they, and what can you learn?

For the genealogically curious, DNA tests are increasingly popular as holiday gifts, and this is not just limited to test kits for humans: Dog DNA tests are now available to give you insights into your pooch's genetic makeup. While genetic testing for human ancestry and disorders has been around for...

What's the rarest blood type?

Different people have different types of blood running through their veins. Humans have four main blood groups: A, B, AB and O. These are defined by which antigens are present on the surface of red blood cells: Type A blood has the A antigen on red blood cells, B has...

Natural selection has been acting on hundreds of human genes in the last 3,000 years

Natural selection, the evolutionary process that guides which traits become more common in a population, has been acting on us for the past 3,000 years, right up to the modern day, new research suggests. And it seems to be acting in surprising ways on complex traits encoded by multiple genes,...

Great-grandson of iconic Native American leader Sitting Bull confirmed by DNA analysis

Science has confirmed a man in South Dakota is the great-grandson of the iconic Native American leader Sitting Bull. DNA from the famous chieftain's hair matched that of Ernie LaPointe, who has long claimed this famous relation. Sitting Bull, also known as Tatanka-Iyotanka, led the Lakota tribe of Sioux people...